Do we have to travel?

At the moment it’s all about travelling. Everybody seems to be talking about their travel plans. It makes me want to pack my suitcase and catch the next train or plane to whatever place. I guess the time when you have all the important exams coming up is not the best time for itchy feet…

Unfortunately, unlike many other people my age I cannot say that I’ve travelled the world. I have seen some places in Europe, but never had the chance to leave our continent yet. Anyway, I believe in the importance of travelling and there are still many places on my to-visit list.

Nowadays we are always told how important it is for a young person to travel. Teachers told us in school, out parents tell us, and also politicians do in some way when they commit themselves to exchange programmes for students. It is also important for me, but I wouldn’t say that travelling is necessary for everyone. I know a few people for whom getting to see other places is a torture. That does not mean that they are lazy people, just because they want to save themselves from all the struggles at airports, with languages, or different currencies, that you have to go through when you are on a journey. These people are simply happier when they’re at home and shouldn’t be blamed for that. I know a woman who is in her sixties and has never left her hometown, not once in her life. This sounds very shocking to us at an age of mobility and globalisation. But this woman has never felt the desire to see other parts of the world (or even her own country). She seems to be absolutely satisfied with her life.

Travelling is not for everyone, but if you want to work in a certain job, it is necessary, I think. Not because of all the business trips you might have to take, but because you need to have a certain understanding of cultural differences and global disparities. In my opinion a politician who has never left their country can’t really be a good one. They should have seen countries that are not as wealthy or peaceful as we know it from ours, in order to be able to prevent similar situations in their own country. A businessperson who trades with other countries has to know how people live there, how the conditions are, so as not to damage anybody.

Also for intolerant, narrow-minded, mostly racist people, travelling would be a good treatment I suppose. What often makes them hold such views is the fear of the unknown. Travelling may help them to get a better understanding of other cultures. Sometimes you don’t even have to go far to experience and see something completely different.